How Do You Make Your Own Cold Pack?

A:

Quick Answer

To make a cold pack at home, put 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and 3 cups of water into a plastic freezer bag, and seal tightly, according to WebMD. Place it in the freezer. When the liquid becomes slushy but not completely frozen, it is ready to use.

Keep Learning

Another quick homemade cold pack is a bag of frozen peas placed on the affected area, recommends WebMD. A traditional cold pack is made from a plastic bag half-filled with ice, About.com explains. Water is added to make it fit better around the injured area, and the bag is sealed. To protect the patient, place a towel between the skin and the bag. Alternately, the icy bag is tied up inside a towel and used as a single unit on the sore spot.

During the first three days of a painful, sore or swollen injury, put a cold pack on the area for 10 minutes once every hour, states WebMD. Then, reduce the treatment to 15 or 20 minutes in the morning, late afternoon and shortly before bed.

Cold packs are also helpful for relieving the pain of chronic conditions such as arthritis, WebMD advises. In addition, muscles that have been used for extended periods or even overused benefit from cold packs.